March 20 Devotion

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and instead of dozing off again you begin to think worrisome thoughts? Perhaps some anxiety over a project at work or concern over a family matter.

Or perhaps you are delayed in a traffic jam, stressed because time is wasting and you are already late. Will that red light never change color?

Watching the national news is certainly a cause for anxiety and just opening the newspaper each morning brings new concerns.

Let me get to my point. As followers of Jesus we should not be overwhelmed by these daily anxieties, whether they are large or small. Problems at work, health or financial issues, family worries; at one time or another most of us have experienced them. In today's world where poverty, crime and terrorism abound, what is a Christian to do?

I get really stressed before taking a trip out of town that is going to last longer than overnight. I always worry that I will leave behind something essential and with the new restrictions as to what can be placed in carry-on luggage my worries grow. I remind myself that unless we travel to the Amazon jungle most anything left behind can be replaced.

So it was that before a recent trip I was experiencing my middle-of-the-night stress. I woke up with a melody going through my mind. At first I couldn't recognise it nor remember the words. Then I realised it was from an anthem the Sanctuary Choir had sung a week or two earlier. The words of the refrain told me to stop the stressful thoughts and commit every anxiety and fear to the One who can handle them all for us if we will only let Him.

Do not be afraid, I am with you.
I have called you each by name.
Come and follow me,
I will bring you home;
I love you and you are mine.

Can there by any greater answer to our anxieties and fears?

Scripture: Ps. 27:1-7 KJV
(It is interesting to compare the KJV with the same Psalm 27 in "The Message")

Jean Dean